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Defense, prosecutors continue negotiations in Jenkins case

Ex-teacher Steven Jenkins appeared in court June 11

Posted
Monday, June 11, 2018 4:15 pm

Steven Jenkins, now a former Douglas County School District employee, was arrested on charges of sexual exploitation of a child.

An arraignment scheduled for Steven Jenkins, who is accused of shooting “upskirt” videos of women and girls, including students at Renaissance Secondary School, where he worked until his arrest in December, was continued to a later date on June 11 as defense attorneys and prosecutors further negotiations in his case.

Jenkins waived his preliminary hearing in May following what his lawyer, Andrew Ho, called “meaningful conversations” with the district attorney. Those conversations were still ongoing as of Jenkins' June 11 arraignment, including the possibility of a plea deal, Ho said.

“We're exploring all options,” Ho said, adding the “bottom line” was to find a solution agreeable to both sides and alleged victims.

Ho said following the preliminary hearing on May 3 the defense believes the charges against Jenkins don't fit the evidence in the case.

Jenkins was charged with sexual exploitation of a child following the discovery of approximately 20 videos on his phone that appeared to be taken of women and minors without their consent.

Ho said June 11 there remains no evidence Jenkins inappropriately touched or communicated with people in the community, including sexting.

Jenkins has not entered a plea and until then, “the law currently presumes that he's denying everything,” Ho said when asked if Jenkins denied any or all of the allegations against him.

Track and field is a popular and successful sport at Lutheran High school. The Lions won both the girls and boys Class 3A state titles at the CHSAA State Track Championships which were held May 16-18 …